<p>Putting a positive spin on the recent housing market slowdown, estate agent HAART has predicted that prices will bounce back after the World Cup in August. According to the agency’s research into activity following past tournaments, house prices could rise by as much as 10% – “well above the average summer levels” once the final whistle has blown.</p> <p>The market has showed signs of a slowdown since May. Latest Halifax and Nationwide figures point to a shift and Propertyfinder.com has reported a “sharp fall in expectations for house prices – from 7.7% in May to 4.3% in June.”The online property portal has stated that buyers are demanding bigger discounts and incentives on purchases, with “cash-strapped firsttime buyers trying to drive a hard bargain.”</p> <p>The HBF’s survey results for May show a balance of 14% of respondents continuing to expect higher prices in 2006 – well down on the balance of 60% who were optimistic in April.</p><img src='\"/images/issues/200607/news_001.jpg\"'>